LINK [Learn. Inspire. Network. Know.], a public speaking competition hosted by the Phoenix chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN), is taking over Phoenix Center for the Arts in downtown Phoenix from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19.

The public speaking event allows six qualifying young professionals three minutes to make a compelling argument for the cause of their choice. Each one of the selected competitors has auditioned for the competition, and each will be presenting on the behalf of an organization for which they work, volunteer, advocate or are passionate about.

LINK is the perfect opportunity to showcase the amazing work that YNPN Phoenix members are doing every day in our communities. We are honored to work alongside so many talented young professionals who are truly moving the social sector forward and creating lasting change in Phoenix.

— Elyse Guidas, YNPN Phoenix Board Chair

At the end of the six speeches, audience members will vote for the presenter they believe delivered the most captivating and inspirational message of social change. The highest voted presenter will win a donation of $500 for their chosen cause, on behalf of YNPN Phoenix.

Phoenix Center for the Arts is presenting the event; each $15 ticket includes entry, as well as a free first drink and appetizers. Raffles will be held throughout the night, and prizes include a variety of gift cards to local businesses, tickets to sports venues, overnight stays & meals at local hotels, a one-year membership to the Desert Botanical Garden and more. Presenters include: Jose Urteaga, Local First Arizona; Ashley Marengo, Playworks; Andrea Sanchez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona; Lloyd Hopkins, Million Dollar Teacher Project; Matthew Aguilar, Copper City Youth Project; Kelsey Pinckney, Read Better Be Better.

About Jose Urteaga: The son of two Mexican immigrants, Jose has taken advantage of every opportunity his Mother always dreamed to give him by coming to this country. He is a first-generation college graduate of W.P. Carey School of Business with a Business Sustainability degree, and studied abroad for a summer collecting research in Denmark and England on urban agriculture and how it impacts community resilience. Now working as Membership Coordinator for Local First Arizona, he gets to fulfill his passion of establishing community well-being through economically sustainable practices.

We hope you will get your tickets to cheer Jose on in the final round of this competition!